Continuing Manchester United traditions pays off in David Moyes’ first game

Manchester United have earned their first win of the pre-season when they beat the Australian A-League All Stars 5-1 in Sydney.

The tickets for the game, held in the 84,000 capacity AZ Stadium, were sold out in just five minutes and it was clear from the sea of red in the stands at kick-off who the fans were there to see.

When David Moyes was first appointed, he pledged to continue the traditions put in place by Sir Matt Busby, and upheld by Sir Alex Ferguson, in bringing through our own talent – something no other team in the top four can boast.

‘Manchester United have always relied hugely on young players and my priority will always be to promote these talents,’ he said. ‘It is the right way to go. We need to be producing better English players and we are working to find the solutions. My aim would be to develop these young English players and get more and more coming through.’

It was fitting then that the first United goal under Moyes’ reign was scored by Warrington-born Jesse Lingard, who joined United’s academy as a teenager and has worked his way up through the ranks. Ryan Giggs played the ball through, Danny Welbeck dummied, and Lingard slotted the ball past the keeper.

The second goal was scored by another youth team product, Welbeck, who joined United when he was just eight years old.

It is great to see young talented players… being given an opportunity to prove themselves

Having grown up in Longsight and playing street football with Wes and Reece Brown when he was a lad, he is living the dream for Mancunian reds everywhere. Lingard brought the ball forward, passed to Giggs, and he fed Welbeck in to score.

The third goal was the best of the game, again scored by Lingard – who rifled the ball into the top corner. It was Giggs who again claimed the assist. Responsibility for the fourth then returned to Welbeck, whose excellent technique saw him score a greater header from a Robin van Persie corner, with comparisons being made to the goal he scored at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last season.

Van Persie, wearing the captain’s armband after Patrice Evra was replaced by Fabio da Silva, made it five after a Lingard assist.

Welbeck was named man of the match after the game, although Lingard was unlucky to miss out. Wilf Zaha, another great young English prospect who United signed from Crystal Palace last season, was also worth a shout for the award, given the shift he had put in for 90 minutes.

Manchester United on tour

Patrice Evra (C) from the Manchester United football is helped up by teammate Robin van Persie (R) after falling heavily during the tour match against the Foxtel A-league Allstars in Sydney on July 20, 2013.
(Picture: Getty)

Patrice Evra (C) from the Manchester United football is helped up by teammate Robin van Persie (R) after falling heavily during the tour match against the Foxtel A-league Allstars in Sydney on July 20, 2013.
(Picture: Getty)

Manchester United on tour

Patrice Evra (C) from the Manchester United football grimaces after falling heavily during the tour match against the Foxtel A-league Allstars in Sydney on July 20, 2013.
(Picture: Getty)

Patrice Evra (C) from the Manchester United football grimaces after falling heavily during the tour match against the Foxtel A-league Allstars in Sydney on July 20, 2013.
(Picture: Getty)

Manchester United on tour

Manchester United's Danny Welbeck comes under pressure from the A-League All Stars' during their firendly match at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 20 July 2013.
(Picture: EPA)

Manchester United's Danny Welbeck comes under pressure from the A-League All Stars' during their firendly match at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 20 July 2013.
(Picture: EPA)